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Northwest Face & Body

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Does Smoking Affect Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Ludwig Allegra

February 12, 2024

While breast augmentation is a fantastic surgery that allows patients to achieve a new shape and figure, certain things should be avoided before and after the procedure. For those who enjoy smoking and are considering breast augmentation, there are a few essential things you should know before undergoing the surgery.

How Smoking Affects Breast Augmentation

If you’re considering a breast augmentation but enjoy smoking, unfortunately, you will need to stop at least a few days before the surgery. Smoking can affect any surgery and harm your breast implant surgery. Some effects can include: 

  • Can lower heart rate and blood pressure 
  • Can affect respiratory responses to anesthesia 
  • Can affect the cardiovascular response to anesthesia 
  • Can affect recovery rate and slow metabolism 
  • Can affect tissue recovery or lead to infection 
  • Can increase the risk of coughing, which can hurt the implants

These are just some of the risks that smoking can have on breast augmentation. Avoiding any risks before surgery is essential as this can affect the procedure’s outcome, although you do not need to avoid it for as long as other products like nicotine.

While it can lower blood pressure or increase risk, it is not as severe as the effects of nicotine or tobacco.

Cannabis For Pain Regulation?

While it’s becoming more acceptable to use cannabis as a pain regulation method, it should be used with caution. Components found in smoking products, can help regulate pain without the unwanted side effects that pain medications have. However, it’s suggested that you avoid smoking for a few days post-operation.

After your procedure, it’s considered safe to begin smoking again if you wish to use it for pain management. It can help you avoid taking other pain medication and ease any discomfort you may feel following your procedure.

Consult Your Provider

While it may be okay to resume smoking after your augmentation, it’s best to consult your provider on when you should stop its use. Some providers may not approve the surgery if THC is found in your system, which can get in the way of your breast augmentation. This means you may need to quit smoking for a few weeks before your surgery or long enough for it to leave your bloodstream.

Every provider is different, so speaking to them before is the best way to figure out what to do. Finding the right provider who will give you their honest opinion and work with your goals or lifestyle is essential for a successful breast augmentation.

Conclusion

The best thing to do is talk to an experienced provider before undergoing breast augmentation. If you are concerned about smoking and undergoing cosmetic surgery, the right provider will be able to help you navigate the steps you should take to have a successful and safe surgery. The right provider should be open, honest, and understand your goals and needs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ludwig Allegra

Dr. Ludwig Allegra has provided Bellevue, Kirkland, and the surrounding areas with premier plastic surgery procedures for over two decades.

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